• May 27th 2008, 08:43 AM
Laura901
From a point level ground, the angle of elevationn of the top of an 85 pole is 62 degrees. Find, to the nearest integer the distance from that point to the foot of the pole.

A 40 foot long wire stretches from the top of a vertical pole to a stake in the ground 18 feet from the foots of the pole. Find, to the nearest degree the measure of the acute angle that the wire makes with the ground.

Thanks! and any tips would also be helpful! (Nod)
• May 27th 2008, 08:53 AM
Reckoner
Quote:

Originally Posted by Laura901
From a point level ground, the angle of elevationn of the top of an 85 pole is 62 degrees. Find, to the nearest integer the distance from that point to the foot of the pole.

Did you draw a picture? Remember that $\tan\theta = \frac{\text{opposite side}}{\text{adjacent side}}$. If you substitute the appropriate values, you should have an equation that you can solve for the distance.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laura901
A 40 foot long wire stretches from the top of a vertical pole to a stake in the ground 18 feet from the foots of the pole. Find, to the nearest degree the measure of the acute angle that the wire makes with the ground.

Again, draw a picture. Take the cosine of the angle and set it equal to $\frac{\text{adjacent side}}{\text{hypotenuse}}$ to form an equation. Then solve for that angle using $\arccos$.

Does that help? If you get stuck, post the work you have done so far.
• May 27th 2008, 09:07 AM
sean.1986
I don't think they teach arccos at the level of the question.

In case you're wondering, arccos = cos^-1. It should be the second function on the cos button of your calculator.
• May 27th 2008, 09:12 AM
Reckoner
Quote:

Originally Posted by sean.1986
I don't think they teach arccos at the level of the question.

How else would you solve it? I should think such a question would presuppose knowledge of the inverse trigonometric functions, and any good instructor should mention both notations. I write it as arccos because there is no danger of it being confused with a reciprocal.
• May 27th 2008, 09:26 AM
sean.1986
I agree it should be taught, but I was just clarifying for the OP in case she didn't know.